St. Meinrad, Indiana
2021
To support deeper study and experience of Byzantine iconography and theology by creating a moveable iconostasis that will aid the community's growth in knowledge and appreciation of the theology and spiritual practices of iconography and broaden its experience of Eastern expressions of worship.
Researcher(s): Sr. Jeana Visel, OSB
Academic Discipline: Spirituality/Eastern Christianity
Project Summary
The grant supports deeper study and experience of Byzantine iconography while engaging the service of a master iconographer to create an iconostasis for the school worship space at Saint Meinrad. The experience is helping the community broaden our experience of Catholic worship to include its Eastern as well as Western expressions. Iconographer Marek Czarnecki came to campus in March, April, September, and October, for a week each time, to work on the icons as an artist-in-residence. Students have been able to watch him work and to ask questions. He also gave a lecture during each visit. In July, Sr. Jeana Visel and Fr. Denis Robinson went to Marek’s studio in Connecticut for a week of more focused tutorial in ecclesial arts.
What questions have you asked about worship in the past year?
How does an increased awareness of Eastern Catholic worship tradition affect the Western Catholic experience? How can knowing the particular process of painting icons increase appreciation for how they are used for different kinds of prayer?
In what ways has or will your project strengthen the worship life of congregations?
This project has been a gift to our school worship community as we have been able to learn more about iconography and the iconostasis within the Eastern Catholic tradition of worship. We celebrate Byzantine liturgy several times a year with great gusto, and clearly students are gaining familiarity and comfort with the images and culture that go along with this style of worship.
What have been your greatest challenges (or challenging opportunities)?
Raising funds to cover the costs of such a project has been my greatest challenge. The grant covered a portion, but not everything, and so I have had to spread the word and invite additional support from donors. Because of other grant writing duties that arose unexpectedly over the past year, I also have not yet had as much time as I would have liked to delve into the research and writing I hoped to do in relation to the project. Fr. Denis and I do have plans to write a book on icon screens east and west, but it may not really get going until after the grant period is over.
What advice would you like to share with other Teacher-Scholars?
Budget carefully! Be ready to adapt your programming to accommodate a worldwide pandemic. It may in fact open up new opportunities for connection. We livestreamed lectures, and have now begun this for much of our ordinary programming.
What products will emerge from your project?
We are producing a portable iconostasis for the school chapel, with the possibility of exhibiting the icons elsewhere when not in active use for liturgy. I wrote an article on the development of icon screens and other barriers within liturgical space, and look forward to co-writing a book on liturgical screens east and west.